The usage of vote-counting machines in municipal elections, grants being used in place of property taxes and the underfunding of municipal infrastructure were three major discussions during the Alberta Municipalities Convention and Trade Show in Red Deer this week.
Tyler Gandam, president of Alberta Municipalities and mayor of Wetaskiwin, addressed media following the three-day event, which wrapped up on Friday at Westerner Park. During the event, the 1,000-plus municipal leaders in attendance discussed 21 resolutions brought forward by members of various issues.
The provincial government using grants instead of paying property taxes was one of those resolutions discussed.
"The Government of Alberta has facilities and properties all over the province. Instead of paying property tax, it gives grants to the communities in which its properties are located. These grants are then used to pay for the delivery of municipal services the government buildings require, such as roadways, water services, snow clearing and emergency services — the same services residents pay for through their property taxes," said Gandam.
"This approach worked well until a few years ago when the provincial government gave itself a 40 per cent cut. The costs associated with the delivery of the municipal services to provincial government properties are massive and continue to go up. We've called on the provincial government to reverse the 40 per cent cut in these grants so that municipalities and their residents do not have to find the money to pay for differences from their own budgets."
Alberta Municipalities also called on the provincial government to reverse its decision to ban vote-counting machines from being used in Alberta's 2025 municipal elections.
"Our members have repeatedly said that the use of machines increases the accuracy of vote counting, saves money and provides quicker election results," Gandam said.
"We are taking a science-based, rational approach to the issue. Albertans trust price-scanning technology when they buy their groceries. In fact, most of us can scan our own groceries now. We believe Albertans can have the same level of confidence in vote-counting machines that use the same technology to count votes quickly, effectively and accurately. If it's good enough for businesses, surely it's good enough for municipalities. We expect voters will be unhappy when they find election results are delayed and their local government is stuck with the bill."
Gandam also said municipalities need more provincial funding for municipal infrastructure.
"You don't have to look very hard or far to find examples of crumbling infrastructure in Alberta communities: cracked pavement, failed water mains, unsafe bridges," he said.
"This challenge is made more difficult by the fact that Alberta's population is growing rapidly. More than 200,000 people have moved to Alberta in the last year. The provincial government allocates just $722 million a year to the Local Government Fiscal Framwork (LGFF) to municipalities across Alberta. It's a start, but another $1 billion a year in funding is needed."
This year's convention was "a resounding success," Gandam said, adding that Alberta Municipalities hopes to return to Red Deer in 2027.
"More than 1,000 municipal leaders from across Alberta have spent the last three days in Red Deer and I want to thank the City of Red Deer, its council and employees for hosting a memorable convention and trade show. We couldn't have asked for a warmer, friendlier reception," he said.
Alberta Municipalities is a non-partisan voice serving Alberta's summer villages, villages, town, cities and special municipalities.
